Early
in the 10th century, the Liao dynasty, a secondary imperial palace and
an island (Jade Islet) were built here, called Yaoyu or Jade
Islet. When the Jin took over, they renamed the capital Zhongdu, meaning
Central Capital, and built an imperial palace. Qionghua (Jade Flowery)
Islet was built of earth dug out from the lake, and the rocks used for
piling on the hill were brought from Kaifeng, Henan Province. During
the Yuan Dynasty, the place was rebuilt three times, and Guanghandian
or the Palace in the Moon where Kublai Khan used to live and many other
palace buildings were built on top of the hill. It was in this palace
that Kublai Khan received Marco Polo. Unfortunately it was destroyed.
The Islet became the center of Dadu (Great Capital of Yuan Dynasty)
and is still situated in the heart of modern Beijing.
The Ming Dynasty saw more construction and renovation: the Five Dragon
Pavilions and the Nine-Dragon
Screen on the north bank of the lake and
many pavilions and galleries were erected during that period. From the
White Dagoba, visitors can have an excellent view of the Five Dragon
Pavilions standing on the opposite bank of the lake, with colourful
ferry boats travelling back and forth between the shores. During the
reign of Emperor Qianlong, construction lasted for 30 years. The project
included many other pavilions, halls and terraces which made the park
even more harmonious in design.
A White
Dagoba,
an onion-shaped shrine pagoda in Tibetan style, was erected in honor
of the fifth Dalai Lama's visit to Beijing in 1651.
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Early
in the 10th century, the Liao dynasty, a secondary imperial palace and
an island (Jade Islet) were built here, called Yaoyu or Jade
Islet. When the Jin took over, they renamed the capital Zhongdu, meaning
Central Capital, and built an imperial palace. Qionghua (Jade Flowery)
Islet was built of earth dug out from the lake, and the rocks used for
piling on the hill were brought from Kaifeng, Henan Province. During
the Yuan Dynasty, the place was rebuilt three times, and Guanghandian
or the Palace in the Moon where Kublai Khan used to live and many other
palace buildings were built on top of the hill. It was in this palace
that Kublai Khan received Marco Polo. Unfortunately it was destroyed.
The Islet became the center of Dadu (Great Capital of Yuan Dynasty)
and is still situated in the heart of modern Beijing.